While sitting down at his bitter cultivation, time had flashed by in the blink of an eye. But twenty years was still a long time. Nie Li felt like he’d been pulled back to reality from a long dream.

Under ordinary circumstances, simply sitting and cultivating would make for extremely slow results — much slower than the usual methods. And if you were standing on the verge of a huge breakthrough, then cultivating that way would simply be an exercise in futility.

He wasn’t far from the Heavenly Axis Realm. All he needed was an opportunity to make the breakthrough!

Nie Li consolidated his own cultivation while smiling to Xiao Yu. “I just entered a miraculous state! That’s how I raised my cultivation so quickly!”

“Have I disrupted you?” Xiao Yu said apologetically, since she’d called out to Nie Li several times.

Nie Li waved his hand. “It’s fine!”

At the same time, the intent within the Void Illusionary Divine Palace was observing Nie Li.

“This brat who possesses the Myriad Miles Rivers and Mountains Painting is like a robber! He emptied my palace of all its treasures! Not even the array was left in peace! I thought my own secrets hidden in the palace were already formidable. I never thought that this kid would harbor even more shocking secrets!” The intent murmured with a strange smile in its voice. “Let’s see what you’re going to do after you’ve broken into my palace!”

The intent left with a flash.

Nie Li sensed something and glanced towards the palace. Now that he had his ninth Fate Star, his senses were much sharper than before.

Although he didn’t know what that thing was, he was certain it wasn’t a living creature. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have wanted to snatch his body.

The intent of the Void Illusionary Divine Palace?

To think that there was something this interesting!

Nie Li understood that with his current abilities, he’d have a hard time unlocking the thousand square meter palace, so he didn’t even bother to try. Either way, he’d be able to open it soon! As long as the intent remained trapped within the Myriad Miles Rivers and Mountains Painting, Nie Li refused to believe it could escape him!

But even though Nie Li had formed his ninth Fate Star, it was still far from sufficient.

They should hide within the Myriad Miles Rivers and Mountains Painting for another week or so, to make sure that Hierarch Blacknether was gone. After that, they’d be able to leave the painting.

Nie Li observed the insides of the painting as he flew around. He landed on one of the Deity’s Lakes. With a wave of his hand, the gathered all the spiritual stones in the lake.

They’d been collecting there for so long inside the painting. It was time to harvest.

He didn’t stop until he’d harvested all the spiritual stones and essences from his fifty or so Deity’s Lakes.

He roughly estimated his wealth to be twenty million spiritual stones and thirty thousand spiritual stone essences. It was definitely an astonishing amount of wealth. Nie Li guessed it was about half of the Divine Feathers Sect’s entire fortune!

He had to convert all these spiritual stones into strength!

Otherwise, it’d be a waste!

Nie Li thought for a bit, then his eyes lit up. How could he have forgotten about that?

Fifteen days later

The Gu Clan Patriarch and elders were gathered to discuss the matter about Gu Bei destroying others’ Deity’s Lakes.

In the vast hall, Gu Tianlong sat in the first seat as the Gu Clan’s Patriarch. On either side of him were the elders. Meanwhile, Gu Bei, Gu Heng, and other descendents stood in the middle of the hall.

Gu Heng cupped his hands and pitched his argument that he’d been wronged. “I believe that cousin Gu Bei has gone too far in this matter. I beg the Patriarch and elders to uphold justice! We were born of the same roots, so why must he rush for such a kill?! If Younger Cousin Gu Bei succeeds the Patriarch’s position, I’d hope that he’d treat his clansmen much more kindly!”

“I never thought that Elder Cousin Gu Heng would suffer such a huge setback!”

“I heard that Younger Cousin Gu Bei recently established his own force and that it’s been developing rapidly! But I never imagined that it could actually defeat Elder Cousin Gu Heng! That’s too hard to imagine!”

“Destroying people’s’ Deity’s Lakes? That’s just too cruel. After all, we’re of the same clan!”

Someone who was obviously on Gu Heng’s side said in a loud voice, “Elder cousin Gu Heng has always been treating others with kindness. Gu Bei is going overboard. If Gu Bei succeeds the Patriarch, will there still be a living path for us, even though we’re of the same clan?”

After hearing all of that, Gu Bei frowned, then cupped his hands towards Gu Tianlong above him. “In this vast world, everything is a competition. Elder Cousin Gu Heng gathered a force to destroy the Demon League. Am I not permitted to retaliate? Now, that Elder Cousin Gu Heng has lost, he’s run back crying, and has even gathered the elders in an attempt to impeach me. As for his motives, I believe those are clear with just a glimpse!”

Gu Heng glared at Gu Bei and said, “True, everything in the outside world is a competition. But Younger Cousin Gu Bei has been too cruel in destroying my Deity’s Lakes. How much hatred is in those actions? How many Deity’s Lakes does the Divine Feathers Sect own in total? By destroying the lakes, you have weakened the Divine Feathers Sect! Younger Cousin Gu Bei couldn’t possibly be a spy, right?”

“Both of you, silence!” Gu Tianlong ordered. “Members of my Gu Clan should unite and fight against external force. It’s enough that the two of you are trying to destroy each other. The two of you are even quarreling at this clan meeting. If people heard about this, my honor will have been thrown down by you both!”

Gu Tianlong emanated a chilling might that silenced both Gu Heng and Gu Bei. Neither dared to speak another word.

Gu Tianlong swept a glance at the surrounding elders. “Elders, what do you think?”

The Third Elder Gu Yuntian coldly said, “Gu Heng is my disciple, so I usually shouldn’t speak in this sort of situation, lest others accuse me of taking sides. But I must say something today. The act of destroying a Deity’s Lake must be severely punished. If such acts were allowed to continue, then the number of Deity’s Lakes will decrease even further!”

Gu Tianlong looked at the other elders. “What are the others’ opinions?”

Gu Ya was silent at first, before he spoke. “The causes and effects of this matter are complex. We must carefully consider our decision as well!”

Another elder stood up. “Will the audience heard me out?”

It was the eighth elder, Gu Bai!

The Eighth Elder had always sided with Gu Heng, so, of course he’d do the same this time. It looked like Gu Heng had come well prepared; Gu Bei was definitely going to land in big trouble. True, Gu Bei was wrong to destroy someone else’s Deity’s Lake. If this matter were pursued to the end, the punishment would definitely be extremely severe!